The Mets are back to their old ways, going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position on Saturday night in Buffalo and losing 3-2 to the Blue Jays. Seth Lugo was dominant through the first three innings, but had to battle the rest of the way. In the fourth inning, a double by Travis Shaw put runners on second and third with one out, but Lugo only gave up one run, in part thanks to a great defensive play he made at third base of all places.
Oh wow! In the fifth, Toronto got the first three men aboard but then Lugo got Bo Bichette to hit a little jam shot to first base to get a critical first out. He once again only gave up one run in the inning. The Jays would get one more tally in the sixth when Jonathan Villar singled off of Chasen Shreve after Lugo gave off a leadoff double to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Mets opened the scoring in the fourth when Jake Marisnick hit an RBI double, but Wilson Ramos failed to keep the rally going and grounded out to end the inning with runners on second and third. In the fifth, Amed Rosario, who looked to be finally getting going with three hits on the night, led off with a double, but the Mets followed with three straight outs from their top of the order to strand him.
That top of the order consisting of Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, and Michael Conforto failed again in the seventh when Ramos and Rosario set the table with back-to-back singles. The next three guys all grounded out, scoring Ramos, but leaving the Mets down 3-2.
Brandon Nimmo looked to get the Mets going in the top of the ninth with a walk, but Ramos was doubled up right after. Rosario reached on a wild pitch strikeout, but was picked off of first base by Toronto reliever Rafael Dolis to end the game.
It was a frustrating night for the Mets, who made Sahlen Field their personal playground with 18 runs on Friday. On Saturday, it felt like New York was constantly primed to start a rally, but that rally never game. Now there are only 14 games left in the season and the Mets are still two games behind the freaking Marlins for the last playoff spot in the National League.
Maybe in a longer season, the Mets have more time to make a run to get above .500 in with this brilliant lineup they’ve somehow assembled. That doesn’t matter now, though. By hook or by crook or by terrible starting pitching, they’ve stumbled to a 21-25 record and there’s not much time left to fix it.
Baby steps, though. The Marlins got crushed by Philadelphia last night and are currently 21-21. If they stay at .500 and the other teams (Colorado and Milwaukee) in the chase do as well, the Mets can rally and pass everyone. Just get to .500 this week and make a push for the wild card in the next week. Sounds easy right? The four series remaining are at Philadelphia, vs. Atlanta, vs. Tampa Bay, and at Washington. Not very easy, but let’s cherish the fact that there’s still a chance.
Plus, NFL football starts today! Wooooooooaaaap! Here’s my card:
Minnesota -2.5, Jacksonville +8.0, Carolina +3.0, Buffalo -6.5, Seattle -1.0, New Orleans -3.5, Arizona +6.5, Los Angeles (N) +2.0
Also have Baltimore, New England, and Philadelphia in a moneyline parlay at +140. Can’t lose.
Hope everyone has a great Sunday!
Inside Yolk 